April 11 – 17, 2019 is Black Maternal Health Week
During Black Maternal Health Week 2019, The Shades of Blue Project of Houston, TX in kindred partnership with Black Mama’s Matter Alliance of Atlanta, GA partner together to host events to bring awareness to the maternal health of black mothers.
The purpose of Black Maternal Health week is to create a conversation focused on black maternal mortality and morbidity and treatment of postpartum depression and other maternal mental health issues.
Black Maternal Health Week 2019 is April 11th - 17th.
Calendar of Events in Houston:
April 13, 2019 – Private Showing of “For Colored Girls’ 3p-7p [Ticketed Event] Purchase tickets here
April 13, 2019 – Maternal Mental Health and Diaper Day 10a-12p : Shades of Blue Offices – 340 N Sam Houston Parkway, Suite A100 Houston, TX 77090 [Registration Required]
April 14, 2019 – Spring Community Diaper Drive 12p-3p: Shades of Blue Offices – 340 N Sam Houston Parkway, Suite A100 Houston, TX 77090 [Free Event]
April 16, 2019 – Community Round Table Discussion; 6p-9p Shades of Blue Offices – 340 N Sam Houston Parkway, Suite A100 Houston, TX 77090 [Free Event]
April 17, 2019 – Maternal Health Workers Happy Hour 530p-9p : Kulture Komfort Kitchen [Free Event]
The Shades of Blue Project is dedicated to helping minority women who are suffering from postpartum depression and/or anxiety. Support is available before, during and after child-birth. The goal of Shades of Blue Project, and The Shades of Blue Project Internationalis to reach women globally helping to restore them mentally, physically and spiritually.
According to the CDC:
In the United States
Of the 7,208 deaths within a year of the end of pregnancy that occurred during 2011–2014 and were reported to CDC, 2,726 were found to be pregnancy-related.
The pregnancy-related mortality ratios were 17.8, 15.9, 17.3, and 18.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.
Considerable racial disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist. During 2011-2014, the pregnancy-related mortality ratios were:
12.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women.
40.0 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women.
17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for women of other races.
The percentages of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States during 2011–2014 caused by:
Cardiovascular diseases, 15.2%.
Non-cardiovascular diseases, 14.7%.
Infection or sepsis, 12.8%.
Hemorrhage, 11.5%.
Cardiomyopathy, 10.3%.
Thrombotic pulmonary embolism, 9.1%.
Cerebrovascular accidents, 7.4%.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 6.8%.
Amniotic fluid embolism, 5.5%.
Anesthesia complications, 0.3%.
The cause of death is unknown for 6.5% of all 2011–2014 pregnancy-related deaths.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance: https://blackmamasmatter.org/
Shades of Blue Project: https://shadesofblueproject.org/index.html
